What are the signs of schizophrenia?
There are two sets of symptoms that doctors look out when diagnosing schizophrenia – ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ symptoms. Positive symptoms include: • Strange, usually disordered, thinking that may lead to incoherent speech. • Difficulties with conversation – may contribute to loneliness and isolation. • Hallucinations – this can include hearing voices. While up to 4% of the population hear voices, they usually present no problems. With schizophrenia, the voices are usually critical or unfriendly. • Delusions – can include the belief that you are being followed or monitored, or that outside forces are controlling you. Negative symptoms can include apathy, emotional flatness, inability to concentrate, desire to avoid people or wanting to be protected. It is not clear whether these symptoms are part of schizophrenia, a reaction to the positive symptoms or schizophrenia, or a reaction to other people’s responses.
